Shanghai forum fuels biopharma innovation

​Wang Xingpeng, chairman of the Academy for Clinical Innovation and Translation of Shanghai, speaks at the Shanghai Forum for Clinical Trials on Nov 22, 2025. [Photo provided to International Services Shanghai]

The inaugural Shanghai Forum for Clinical Trials, a collaborative effort to build a clinical research to biopharmaceutical innovation chain, convened at Zhangjiang Science Hall in Shanghai on Nov 22.

The forum drew clinical research experts, hospital executives, pharmaceutical and medical device company representatives, and investors from both China and abroad to discuss strengthening medical capabilities, advancing industrial innovation, and deepening collaboration between medical institutions and businesses.

The event included one main forum and five parallel sessions, focusing on critical issues across the clinical trial spectrum, from management to innovative fields such as cell and gene therapy and brain-computer interfaces.

Experts emphasized that overcoming institutional obstacles and creating effective collaboration mechanisms are essential to bolster China's clinical research and drive original discoveries.

Throughout the day-long roadshow, nearly 40 medical institutions and companies displayed their latest advancements in areas such as radioactive drugs research and development, surgical robots, and disease-specific cohort construction to foster connections between medical and business entities.

Leading hospitals in Shanghai, including Ruijin Hospital, Zhongshan Hospital, Huashan Hospital, and Shanghai General Hospital, took part in the forum. They were joined by about 60 hospitals from the Yangtze River Delta region, and more than 30 prominent companies, such as Shanghai United Imaging Medical Technology, AstraZeneca, Simcere, and Hengrui Pharma. Together, they showcased their latest research and development achievements and needs.

Wang Xingpeng, chairman of the Academy for Clinical Innovation and Translation of Shanghai, said that the transformation of clinical research requires the joint efforts of hospitals, companies, research institutions, and investment.

Wang added that ACITS is dedicated to becoming a central innovation hub within China's clinical research system, connecting resources from patient care to market through mechanism innovation and professional services.

Since its establishment one year prior, the academy has spearheaded the Shanghai Alliance for Clinical Trials and launched an Academic Research Organization service model to provide full support to hospital researchers and pharmaceutical and medical device companies, which has significantly improved clinical research efficiency.